LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Marian Anderson, posthumously, as the
first African-American woman to perform with the Metropolitan Opera in
New York, and for her contributions to civil rights in America

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors and
community service are an example and inspiration to their colleagues,
friends, and family; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Marian Anderson, posthumously, as the first African-American woman to
perform with the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and for her contrib-
utions to civil rights in America; and
WHEREAS, Born on February 27, 1897, in South Philadelphia, Pennsylva-
nia, Marian Anderson was an American contralto; a woman of simple digni-
ty and serene charm, she raised her art to such a pinnacle of perfection
that when she sang, music became akin to religion in its emotional
impact; to music critics, "Her voice was a rich, vibrant contralto of
intrinsic beauty"; and
WHEREAS, Debuting at the New York Philharmonic on August 26, 1925,
Marian Anderson was an immediate success with her audiences as well as
with the critics; in 1928, she sang for the first time in Carnegie Hall;
and
WHEREAS, Marian Anderson became an important figure in the struggle
for black artists to overcome racial prejudice in the United States
during the mid-twentieth century; and
WHEREAS, In 1939, the Daughters of the American Revolution refused
permission for Anderson to sing to an integrated audience in Constitu-
tion Hall; their refusal placed Anderson into the spotlight of the
international community, with the aid of President Franklin D. Roosevelt
and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Anderson performed a critically
acclaimed open-air concert on Easter Sunday, in 1939 on the steps of the
Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. to a crowd of more than 75,000
people and a radio audience in the millions; and
WHEREAS, In 1955, Marian Anderson broke another color barrier by
becoming the first African-American to perform with the New York Metro-
politan Opera; on that occasion she sang the part of Ulrica in Giuseppe
Verdi's "Un ballo in maschera"; and
WHEREAS, Marian Anderson later became an important symbol of grace and
beauty during the civil rights movement in the 1960s, notably singing at
the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963; and
WHEREAS, Formalizing her role as a "goodwill ambassadress" of the
United States, in 1958 Marian Anderson was officially designated as a
delegate to the United Nations; in 1972 she was awarded the UN Peace
Prize; and
WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous other awards and honors, Anderson
was notably awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963, the
Kennedy Center Honors in 1978, the National Medal of Arts in 1986, and a
Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her professional and communi-
ty service, a period of constructive involvement, Marian Anderson stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor, and earned the respect and
admiration of her colleagues, family and friends; rare indeed is the

impressive dedication shown by an individual for the benefit of others
which Marian Anderson displayed throughout her life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire
State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Marian Anderson, posthumously, as the first African-American woman
to perform with the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and for her contrib-
utions to civil rights in America; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Marian Anderson.